NASA astrobiology announcement expected to feature Mono Lake

December 1st, 2010 by Geoff, Executive DirectorcloseAuthor: Geoff, Executive DirectorName: Geoffrey McQuilkinTitle: Executive DirectorAbout: Geoff's goals for the Committee are: assuring Mono Lake's continuing protection, restoring Mono Lake's tributary streams, developing a permanent education program, and assuring that the strong tradition of scientific research at Mono Lake continues. A graduate of Harvard in the history of science, Geoff has worked for the Committee since 1992 and was an intern and volunteer before that. He's happy to live close to the lake with his wife Sarah and their daughters Caelen and Ellery.See All Posts by Geoffrey (123)Contact Geoffrey

“an astrobiology finding that will impact the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life. Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe.”

Internet discussion is abuzz and many speculations expect the announcement to include Mono Lake, in particular discussion of arsenic-loving bacteria within the lake, perhaps a newly discovered species. We’ll wait for the announcement, but Mono Lake’s bacterial residents may well reveal that entirely new and unexpected forms of life are possible on other planets.

More news as we hear it. The press conference is scheduled for December 2, 2010 at 2:00 pm Eastern Time (that’s 11am to us Mono Lake folks). Oh, and though many media reports are saying Mono Lake is within Yosemite National Park, don’t forget that the lake actually lies just outside the popular park, right in the heart of the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area!